Heat pump system

ABSTRACT

A heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit, an inlet temperature sensor measuring a heat exchanger inlet temperature of an aqueous medium in a usage-side heat exchanger of the refrigerant circuit, an outlet temperature sensor measuring a heat exchanger outlet temperature of the aqueous medium in the usage-side heat exchanger, a variable-capacity circulating pump circulating the aqueous medium inside a hot-water circuit of a loop, and a controller. The controller controls refrigerant-side circulation rate in the refrigerant circuit to bring a temperature of the aqueous medium at the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger to a targeted first target temperature, and operating capacity of the circulating pump to bring a medium temperature differential of the aqueous medium between the outlet and the inlet of the usage-side heat exchanger to a targeted second target temperature differential.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a heat pump system for circulating an aqueous medium.

BACKGROUND ART

Hydronic heating devices of a heat pump type like that disclosed in Patent Citation 1 (Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2003-314838) are known in the prior art. This hydronic heating device is provided with an outdoor unit of a heat pump type; a water/refrigerant heat exchanger for bringing about heat exchange between a refrigerant and water; an air-warming floor panel or air-warming heat exchanger connected to the water/refrigerant heat exchanger by a hot-water tube; and a circulating pump for circulating hot water through the hot-water tube.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, a problem with such conventional hydronic heating devices of a heat pump type is that in a case of a decrease in load on the air-warming floor panel or air-warming heat exchanger which warms the room, the outlet/inlet temperature differential of the water/refrigerant heat exchanger becomes smaller, resulting in an excessive temperature rise of the water being supplied to the air-warming floor panel or air-warming heat exchanger, possibly leading to auto-shutoff or poor energy efficiency of the unit, as well as to diminished comfort.

An object of the present invention is to provide a heat pump system that can adapt to changes in operating load and provide comfortable air conditioning.

The heat pump system according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided with a refrigerant circuit, an inlet temperature sensor for measuring a heat exchanger inlet temperature of an aqueous medium in a usage-side heat exchanger; an outlet temperature sensor for measuring a heat exchanger outlet temperature of the aqueous medium in the usage-side heat exchanger; a variable-capacity circulating pump for circulating the aqueous medium inside a hot-water circuit of loop form; and controller. The refrigerant circuit is a circuit in which a compressor, a usage-side heat exchanger for carrying out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the aqueous medium, an expansion valve, and a heat-source-side heat exchanger are connected in loop form. The controller controls a refrigerant-side circulation rate in the refrigerant circuit to bring a temperature of the aqueous medium at the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger to a targeted first target temperature, and controls an operating capacity of the circulating pump to bring a medium temperature differential of the aqueous medium between the outlet and the inlet of the usage-side heat exchanger to a targeted second target temperature differential.

Specifically, in this heat pump system, as a first control, the refrigerant-side circulation rate in the refrigerant circuit is controlled to bring the temperature of the aqueous medium at the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger to a targeted first target temperature, controlling the water temperature at the outlet side of the usage-side heat exchanger to maintain it at a predetermined temperature. Also, as a second control, the operating capacity of the circulating pump is controlled to bring the medium temperature differential of the aqueous medium between the outlet and the inlet of the usage-side heat exchanger to a targeted second target temperature differential, controlling the outlet/inlet temperature differential to a predetermined temperature differential. In so doing, excessive temperature fluctuations of the aqueous medium can be reliably prevented, even in cases of decreased load on the usage-side heat exchanger.

The heat pump system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the heat pump system according to the first aspect wherein the controller controls the operating capacity of the pump by carrying out PI control such that the medium temperature differential at a current point in time is brought into approximation with the second target temperature differential.

According to the aspect described above, because temperature control can take place so as to bring the medium temperature differential at a current point in time into approximation with the second target temperature differential and eliminate deviation therebetween through PI control, excessive temperature rise of the aqueous medium can be reliably prevented.

The heat pump system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the heat pump system according to the first or second aspect wherein air-warming of a target space is carried out using hot water produced by condensing the refrigerant in the usage-side heat exchanger.

According to the aspect described above, by using hot water produced by condensing the refrigerant in the usage-side heat exchanger for air-warming of a target space, an excessive rise in the temperature of the aqueous medium can be reliably prevented, even in cases of decreased load on the usage-side heat exchanger in association with higher room temperature in the target space.

The heat pump system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the heat pump system according to the third aspect wherein the controller carries out a control to decrease the operating capacity of the pump in a case where the medium temperature differential is smaller than the second target temperature differential, and the temperature of the aqueous medium at the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger is equal to or greater than the first target temperature, and carries out a control to increase the operating capacity of the pump in a case where the medium temperature differential is greater than the second target temperature differential.

According to the aspect described above, control is carried out to decrease the operating capacity of the pump in a case where the medium temperature differential is smaller than the second target temperature differential, and moreover the temperature of the aqueous medium at the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger is equal to or greater than the first target temperature, while control is carried out to increase the operating capacity of the pump in a case where the medium temperature differential is greater than the second target temperature differential; whereby in a case where the medium temperature differential is smaller than the second target temperature differential, and the temperature of the aqueous medium at the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger is equal to or greater than the first target temperature, it can be decided that the load on the usage-side heat exchanger has decreased, and excessive temperature rise of the aqueous medium can be reliably prevented.

The heat pump system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the heat pump system according to the fourth aspect, further comprising air-temperature-setting means for setting an air temperature of a target space for which air-warming is to be carried out; and air-temperature-detecting means for detecting the air temperature. In a case where an air temperature differential between a detected air temperature detected by the air-temperature-detecting means and a set air temperature set by the air-temperature-setting means is greater than a predetermined third target temperature differential, the controller changes the second target temperature differential in the direction of a smaller medium temperature differential.

According to the aspect described above, because in a case where an air temperature differential between a detected air temperature detected by the air-temperature-detecting means and a set air temperature set by the air-temperature-setting means is greater than a predetermined third target temperature differential, the second target temperature differential is modified in the direction of a smaller medium temperature differential, flow rate control of the aqueous medium can take place in coordination with room temperature, and excessive temperature rise of the aqueous medium can be more reliably prevented, even in cases of decreased load on the usage-side heat exchanger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a heat pump system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of flow rate control of an aqueous medium by the heat pump system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of coordinated control of room temperature and flow rate of the aqueous medium by the heat pump system of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Next, an embodiment of the heat pump system of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment Overall Configuration

FIG. 1 is a view showing the general configuration of a heat pump system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A heat pump system 1 is a device capable of utilizing a vapor compression type heat pump cycle to carry out an operation to heat an aqueous medium.

The heat pump system 1 is primarily provided with a heat source unit 2, a usage unit 4 a, a liquid refrigerant communication tube 13, a gas refrigerant communication tube 14, a hot-water air-warming unit 9 a, an aqueous medium communication tube 15 a, and an aqueous medium communication tube 16 a. The heat source unit 2 and the usage unit 4 a are connected via the refrigerant communication tubes 13, 14, and thereby constitute a heat-source-side refrigerant circuit 20, while the usage unit 4 a and the hot-water air-warming unit 9 a are connected via the aqueous medium communication tubes 15 a, 16 a, and thereby constitute an aqueous medium circuit 80 a. HFC-410A, which is a type of HFC-based refrigerant, is enclosed in the heat-source-side refrigerant circuit 20 as the heat-source-side refrigerant, while an ester-type or ether-based refrigerant machine oil that is compatible with the HFC-based refrigerant is enclosed in the heat-source-side refrigerant circuit 20 for lubricating a heat-source-side compressor 21 (discussed later). Water is circulated as an aqueous medium through the aqueous medium circuit 80 a.

In this heat pump system 1, the heat-source-side compressor 21, a usage-side heat exchanger 41 a for carrying out heat exchange between the refrigerant and the aqueous medium, expansion valves 25, 42 a, and a heat-source-side heat exchanger 24 are connected in a loop, thereby constituting the single heat-source-side refrigerant circuit 20.

The heat pump system 1 of FIG. 1 is further provided with a room temperature controller 202 furnished to a room R where the hot-water air-warming unit 9 a is disposed; an air temperature sensor 203; a hot-water controller 204; and a controller 201 for controlling operation of the heat pump system 1 on the basis of signals from the room temperature controller 202, the air temperature sensor 203, the hot-water controller 204, and various other sensors (an aqueous medium inlet temperature sensor 51 a, an aqueous medium outlet temperature sensor 52 a, and others).

On the heat source unit 2 side, the controller 201 primarily controls operation of the heat-source-side compressor 21, a heat-source-side expansion valve 25, and the like; and on the usage unit 4 a side, controls operation of a usage-side flow rate adjustment valve 42 a, a circulating pump 43 a, and the like.

The room temperature controller 202 is a controller for setting the room temperature of the room R to a desired temperature, and is furnished to an existing remote control or the like. The room temperature controller 202 transmits a temperature setting signal to the controller 201.

The air temperature sensor 203 detects the room temperature of the room R and transmits a signal indicating the detected room temperature to the controller 201.

The hot-water controller 204 is a controller for measuring the water temperature of hot water supplied to the hot-water air-warming unit 9 a, and setting the water to a predetermined temperature setting. The hot-water controller 204 transmits a signal indicating current water temperature and a signal indicating the water temperature setting to the controller 201.

<Heat Source Unit>

The heat source unit 2 is installed outdoors, and is connected to the usage unit 4 a via the refrigerant communication tubes 13, 14 to constitute part of the heat-source-side refrigerant circuit 20.

The heat source unit 2 has primarily a heat-source-side compressor 21, an oil separation mechanism 22, a heat-source-side switching mechanism 23, a heat-source-side heat exchanger 24, a heat-source-side expansion valve 25, an intake return tube 26, a subcooler 27, a heat-source-side accumulator 28, a liquid-side shutoff valve 29 and a gas-side shutoff valve 30.

The heat-source-side compressor 21 is a mechanism for compressing the heat-source-side refrigerant. The heat-source-side compressor 21 used herein is an airtight compressor in which a rotary-type, scroll-type, or other positive-displacement compression element (not shown) housed in a casing (not shown) is driven by a heat-source-side compressor motor 21 a which is also housed in the casing. A high-pressure space (not shown) filled by the heat-source-side refrigerant after compression in the compression element is formed inside the casing of the heat-source-side compressor 21, and refrigeration machine oil is stored in the high-pressure space. The rotation speed (i.e., the operating frequency) of the heat-source-side compressor motor 21 a can be varied by an inverter apparatus (not shown), and the capacity of the heat-source-side compressor 21 can thereby be controlled.

The oil separation mechanism 22 is a mechanism for separating refrigeration machine oil included in the heat-source-side refrigerant that is discharged from the heat-source-side compressor 21 and returning the refrigeration machine oil to the intake of the heat-source-side compressor. The oil separation mechanism 22 has primarily an oil separator 22 a provided to a heat-source-side discharge tube 21 b of the heat-source-side compressor 21; and an oil return tube 22 b for connecting the oil separator 22 a and a heat-source-side intake tube 21 c of the heat-source-side compressor 21. The oil separator 22 a is a device for separating refrigeration machine oil included in the heat-source-side refrigerant that is discharged from the heat-source-side compressor 21. The oil return tube 22 b has a capillary tube, and is a refrigerant tube for returning the refrigeration machine oil separated from the heat-source-side refrigerant in the oil separator 22 a to the heat-source-side intake tube 21 c of the heat-source-side compressor 21.

The heat-source-side switching mechanism 23 is a four-way switching valve capable of switching between a heat-source-side radiating operation state in which the heat-source-side heat exchanger 24 functions as a radiator of the heat-source-side refrigerant, and a heat-source-side evaporating operation state in which the heat-source-side heat exchanger 24 functions as a evaporator of the heat-source-side refrigerant. The heat-source-side switching mechanism 23 is connected to the heat-source-side discharge tube 21 b, the heat-source-side intake tube 21 c, a first heat-source-side gas refrigerant tube 23 a connected to the gas side of the heat-source-side heat exchanger 24, and a second heat-source-side gas refrigerant tube 23 b connected to the gas-side shutoff valve 30. The heat-source-side switching mechanism 23 is capable of switching for communicating the heat-source-side discharge tube 21 b with the first heat-source-side gas refrigerant tube 23 a, and communicating the second heat-source-side gas refrigerant tube 23 b with the heat-source-side intake tube 21 c (this switching corresponding to the heat-source-side radiating operation state, indicated by solid lines in the heat-source-side switching mechanism 23 in FIG. 1). The heat-source-side switching mechanism 23 is also capable of switching for communicating the heat-source-side discharge tube 21 b with the second heat-source-side gas refrigerant tube 23 b, and communicating the first heat-source-side gas refrigerant tube 23 a with the heat-source-side intake tube 21 c (this switching corresponding to the heat-source-side evaporating operation state, indicated by dashed lines in the heat-source-side switching mechanism 23 in FIG. 1). The heat-source-side switching mechanism 23 is not limited to a four-way switching valve, and may configured so as to have a function for switching the same directions of heat-source-side refrigerant flow as those described above, through the use of a combination of a plurality of solenoid valves or the like, for example.

The heat-source-side heat exchanger 24 is a heat exchanger for functioning as a radiator or evaporator of the heat-source-side refrigerant by exchanging heat between the heat-source-side refrigerant and outdoor air. A heat-source-side liquid refrigerant tube 24 a is connected to the liquid side of the heat-source-side heat exchanger 24, and the first heat-source-side gas refrigerant tube 23 a is connected to the gas side thereof. The outdoor air for heat exchange with the heat-source-side refrigerant in the heat-source-side heat exchanger 24 is fed by a heat-source-side fan 32 which is driven by a heat-source-side fan motor 32 a.

The heat-source-side expansion valve 25 is an electrical expansion valve for performing such functions as depressurizing the heat-source-side refrigerant flowing through the heat-source-side heat exchanger 24, and is provided to the heat-source-side liquid refrigerant tube 24 a.

The intake return tube 26 is a refrigerant tube for diverting a portion of the heat-source-side refrigerant flowing through the heat-source-side liquid refrigerant tube 24 a and returning the diverted refrigerant to the intake of the heat-source-side compressor 21, and in the present embodiment, one end of the intake return tube 26 is connected to the heat-source-side liquid refrigerant tube 24 a, and the other end is connected to the heat-source-side intake tube 21 c. An intake return expansion valve 26 a, the opening degree of which can be controlled, is provided to the intake return tube 26. The intake return expansion valve 26 a is composed of an electrical expansion valve.

The subcooler 27 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heat-source-side refrigerant flowing through the heat-source-side liquid refrigerant tube 24 a and the heat-source-side refrigerant flowing through the intake return tube 26 (more specifically, the heat-source-side refrigerant that has been depressurized by the intake return expansion valve 26 a).

The heat-source-side accumulator 28 is provided to the heat-source-side intake tube 21 c, and is a container for temporarily storing the heat-source-side refrigerant circulated through the heat-source-side refrigerant circuit 20 before the heat-source-side refrigerant is drawn into the heat-source-side compressor 21 from the heat-source-side intake tube 21 c.

The liquid-side shutoff valve 29 is a valve provided at the connection between the heat-source-side liquid refrigerant tube 24 a and the liquid refrigerant communication tube 13. The gas-side shutoff valve 30 is a valve provided at the connection between the second heat-source-side gas refrigerant tube 23 b and the gas refrigerant communication tube 14.

Various sensors are provided to the heat source unit 2. Specifically, the heat source unit 2 is provided with a heat-source-side intake pressure sensor 33 for detecting a heat-source-side intake pressure Ps1, which is the pressure of the heat-source-side refrigerant in the intake of the heat-source-side compressor 21; a heat-source-side discharge pressure sensor 34 for detecting a heat-source-side discharge pressure Pd1, which is the pressure of the heat-source-side refrigerant in the discharge of the heat-source-side compressor 21; a heat-source-side heat exchange temperature sensor 35 for detecting a heat-source-side heat exchanger temperature Thx, which is the temperature of the heat-source-side refrigerant in the liquid side of the heat-source-side heat exchanger 24; and an outdoor air temperature sensor 36 for detecting an outdoor air temperature To.

—Liquid Refrigerant Communication Tube—

The liquid refrigerant communication tube 13 is connected to the heat-source-side liquid refrigerant tube 24 a via the liquid-side shutoff valve 29, and the liquid refrigerant communication tube 13 is a refrigerant tube capable of directing the heat-source-side refrigerant to the outside of the heat source unit 2 from the outlet of the heat-source-side heat exchanger 24 which functions as a radiator of the heat-source-side refrigerant when the heat-source-side switching mechanism 23 is in the heat-source-side radiating operation state. The liquid refrigerant communication tube 13 is also a refrigerant tube capable of introducing the heat-source-side refrigerant from outside the heat source unit 2 into the inlet of the heat-source-side heat exchanger 24 which functions as an evaporator of the heat-source-side refrigerant when the heat-source-side switching mechanism 23 is in the heat-source-side evaporating operation state.

—Gas Refrigerant Communication Tube—

The gas refrigerant communication tube 14 is connected to the second heat-source-side gas refrigerant tube 23 b via the gas-side shutoff valve 30. The gas refrigerant communication tube 14 is a refrigerant tube capable of introducing the heat-source-side refrigerant into the intake of the heat-source-side compressor 21 from outside the heat source unit 2 when the heat-source-side switching mechanism 23 is in the heat-source-side radiating operation state. The gas refrigerant communication tube 14 is also a refrigerant tube capable of directing the heat-source-side refrigerant to the outside of the heat source unit 2 from the discharge of the heat-source-side compressor 21 when the heat-source-side switching mechanism 23 is in the heat-source-side evaporating operation state.

<Usage Unit>

The usage unit 4 a is installed indoors, and is connected to the heat source unit 2 via the refrigerant communication tubes 13, 14 to constitute a part of the heat-source-side refrigerant circuit 20. The usage unit 4 a is also connected to the hot-water air-warming unit 9 a via the aqueous medium communication tubes 15 a, 16 a, and constitutes a part of the aqueous medium circuit 80 a.

The usage unit 4 a primarily has the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a, the usage-side flow rate adjustment valve 42 a, and the circulating pump 43 a.

The usage-side heat exchanger 41 a is a heat exchanger that functions as a radiator for the heat-source-side refrigerant by carrying out heat exchange between the heat-source-side refrigerant and the aqueous medium. A usage-side liquid refrigerant tube 45 a is connected to the liquid side of the flow path along which the heat-source-side refrigerant flows, while a usage-side gas refrigerant tube 54 a is connected to the gas side of the flow path along which the heat-source-side refrigerant flows. A usage-side water inlet tube 47 a is connected to the inlet side of the flow path along which the aqueous medium flows, and a usage-side water outlet tube 48 a is connected to the outlet side of the flow path along which the aqueous medium flows. The liquid refrigerant communication tube 13 is connected to the usage-side liquid refrigerant tube 45 a, the gas refrigerant communication tube 14 is connected to the usage-side gas refrigerant tube 54 a, the aqueous medium communication tube 15 a is connected to the usage-side water inlet tube 47 a, and the aqueous medium communication tube 16 a is connected to the usage-side water outlet tube 48 a.

The usage-side flow rate adjustment valve 42 a is an electrical expansion valve whereby the flow rate of heat-source-side refrigerant flowing through the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a can be varied by controlling the opening degree of the usage-side flow rate adjustment valve 42 a, and the usage-side flow rate adjustment valve 42 a is provided to the usage-side liquid refrigerant tube 45 a.

The circulation pump 43 a is a mechanism for pressurizing the aqueous medium, and the circulation pump 43 a used herein is a pump in which a centrifugal and/or positive-displacement pump element (not shown) is driven by a circulation pump motor 44 a. The circulation pump 43 a is provided to the usage-side water outlet tube 48 a. The rotation speed (i.e., the operating frequency) of the circulation pump motor 44 a can be varied by an inverter apparatus (not shown), and the capacity of the circulation pump 43 a can thereby be controlled.

The usage unit 4 a is thereby configured so that a hot-water supply operation can be performed in which the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a is caused to function as a radiator of the heat-source-side refrigerant introduced from the gas refrigerant communication tube 14, whereby the heat-source-side refrigerant radiated in the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a is directed to the liquid refrigerant communication tube 13, and the aqueous medium is heated by radiation of the heat-source-side refrigerant in the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a.

Various sensors are provided to the usage unit 4 a. Specifically, the usage unit 4 a is provided with a usage-side heat exchange temperature sensor 50 a for detecting a usage-side refrigerant temperature Tsc1, which is the temperature of the heat-source-side refrigerant in the liquid side of the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a; an aqueous medium inlet temperature sensor 51 a for detecting an aqueous medium inlet temperature Twr, which is the temperature of the aqueous medium in the inlet of the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a; and an aqueous medium outlet temperature sensor 52 a for detecting an aqueous medium outlet temperature Twl, which is the temperature of the aqueous medium in the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a.

—Hot-Water Air-Warming Unit—

The Hot-Water Air-Warming Unit 9 a is Installed Indoors, is Connected to the First Usage unit 4 a via the aqueous medium communication tubes 15 a, 16 a, and constitutes a portion of the aqueous medium circuit 80 a.

The hot-water air-warming unit 9 a has primarily a heat exchange panel 91 a, and is composed of a radiator and/or a floor heating panel and other components.

The heat exchange panel 91 a is provided alongside a wall or elsewhere indoors when configured as a radiator, and is provided under the floor or elsewhere indoors when configured as a floor heating panel. The heat exchange panel 91 a is a heat exchanger for functioning as a radiator or heater of the aqueous medium circulated through the aqueous medium circuit 80 a, and the aqueous medium communication tube 16 a is connected to the inlet of the heat exchange panel 91 a, and the aqueous medium communication tube 15 a is connected to the outlet of the heat exchange panel 91 a.

<Aqueous Medium Communication Tubes>

The aqueous medium communication tube 15 a is connected to the outlet of a heat exchange panel 91 a of the hot-water air-warming unit 9 a. The aqueous medium communication tube 16 a is connected to the inlet of the heat exchange panel 91 a of the hot-water air-warming unit 9 a.

It is also possible for a hot-water storage unit to be connected to the aqueous medium communication tubes 15 a, 16 a, in parallel with the hot-water air-warming unit 9 a.

<Hot-Water Air-Warming Operation>

Next, the hot-water air-warming operation of the heat pump system 1 is described.

In a case where the hot-water air-warming operation of the usage unit 4 a is to be carried out, in the heat-source-side refrigerant circuit 20, a heat-source-side switching mechanism 23 switches to an evaporation operation state (the state of the heat-source-side switching mechanism 23 depicted by broken lines in FIG. 1), and an intake return expansion valve 26 a goes to a closed state.

In such a state, in the heat-source-side refrigerant circuit 20, the heat-source-side refrigerant, currently at low pressure in the refrigeration cycle, is drawn into the heat-source-side compressor 21 through a heat-source-side intake tube 21 c, where it is compressed to high pressure in the refrigeration cycle, and thereafter discharged to a heat-source-side discharge tube 21 b. The high-pressure heat-source-side refrigerant which has been discharged into the heat-source-side discharge tube 21 b undergoes separation of the refrigerant machine oil in an oil separator 22 a. The refrigerant machine oil that was separated from the heat-source-side refrigerant in the oil separator 22 a is returned to the heat-source-side intake tube 21 c through an oil return tube 22 b. Through the second heat-source-side gas refrigerant tube 23 b and the gas-side shutoff valve 30, the high-pressure heat-source-side refrigerant from which the refrigerant machine oil was separated is fed from the heat source unit 2 to the refrigerant communication tube 14.

The high-pressure heat-source-side refrigerant fed to the refrigerant communication tube 14 is then fed to the usage unit 4 a. The high-pressure heat-source-side refrigerant fed to the usage unit 4 a is then fed to the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a. In the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a, the high-pressure heat-source-side refrigerant fed to the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a radiates heat through heat exchange with the aqueous medium circulated through the aqueous medium circuit 80 a by the circulating pump 43 a. Through the usage-side flow rate adjustment valve 42 a and the usage-side liquid refrigerant tube 45 a, the high-pressure heat-source-side refrigerant that has radiated its heat in the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a is fed from the usage unit 4 a to the liquid refrigerant communication tube 13.

The heat-source-side refrigerant fed to the liquid refrigerant communication tube 13 is fed to the heat source unit 2. The heat-source-side refrigerant fed to the heat source unit 2 is fed to a subcooler 27 through the liquid-side shutoff valve 29. Because the heat-source-side refrigerant is not flowing in the intake return tube 26, the heat-source-side refrigerant fed to the subcooler 27 is fed to the heat-source-side expansion valve 25, without having undergone heat exchange. The heat-source-side refrigerant fed to the heat-source-side expansion valve 25 is depressurized in the heat-source-side expansion valve 25 and assumes a low-pressure, gas-liquid two-phase state, and is fed to the heat-source-side heat exchanger 24 through the heat-source-side liquid refrigerant tube 24 a. In the heat-source-side heat exchanger 24, the low-pressure refrigerant fed to the heat-source-side heat exchanger 24 undergoes heat exchange with outdoor air supplied by a heat-source-side fan 32 and evaporates. The low-pressure heat-source-side refrigerant having evaporated in the heat-source-side heat exchanger 24 is fed to a heat-source-side accumulator 28 through a first heat-source-side gas refrigerant tube 23 a and the heat-source-side switching mechanism 23. The low-pressure heat-source-side refrigerant fed to the heat-source-side accumulator 28 is again drawn into the heat-source-side compressor 21 through the heat-source-side intake tube 21 c.

Meanwhile, in the aqueous medium circuit 80 a, the aqueous medium circulating through the aqueous medium circuit 80 a is heated by heat radiated from the heat-source-side refrigerant in the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a. The aqueous medium heated in the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a is drawn into the circulating pump 43 a through the usage-side water outlet tube 48 a; and, after being pressurized, is fed from the usage unit 4 a to the aqueous medium communication tube 16 a. The aqueous medium fed to the aqueous medium communication tube 16 a is fed to the hot-water air-warming unit 9 a.

The aqueous medium fed to the hot-water air-warming unit 9 a radiates heat in the heat exchange panel 91 a, and thereby heats indoor walls and the like, or indoor floors.

<Flow Rate Control of Aqueous Medium Circulating in Aqueous Medium Circuit>

Flow rate control of the aqueous medium circulating through the aqueous medium circuit 80 a in the above-described hot-water air-warming operation will be described referring to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3.

In the heat pump system 1 of the present embodiment, first, the controller 201 changes the operating frequency of the compressor 21 to control the refrigerant circulation rate such that the aqueous medium outlet temperature Twl at the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a reaches a targeted first target temperature Twls. Control of the refrigerant circulation rate is carried out in parallel even during the following flow rate control of the aqueous medium.

In association therewith, the controller 201 controls the operating capacity of the circulating pump 43 a to bring an outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTw (=Twl−Twr) of the aqueous medium between the outlet and the inlet of the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a to a target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws which is a targeted second target temperature differential.

Specifically, in Step S1 of FIG. 2, first, the rotating speed R (i.e., the operating frequency) of the circulating pump motor 44 a is set to an initial value R0. Next, in Step S2, while the rotating speed R of the circulating pump motor 44 a is kept at R0, the controller 201 controls the circulating pump 43 a to operate for a fixed duration.

Next, in Step S3, the controller 201 assesses whether the outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTw of the aqueous medium at the outlet and the inlet of the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a is greater than the target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws.

In a case where a state in which the aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTw is greater than the target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws is maintained for a predetermined duration (YES in Step S3), the flow rate of the aqueous medium circulating through the aqueous medium circuit 80 a is assessed as being low, and a control is carried out to increase the operating capacity of the circulating pump 43 a by increasing the rotating speed (specifically, the operating frequency) of the circulating pump motor 44 a (Steps S4-5). In the present embodiment, the controller 201 controls the operating capacity of the circulating pump 43 a by carrying out PI control to bring the outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTw at the current point in time into approximation with the target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws.

Here, PI control refers to so-called proportional-integral control, the input-output relationship of which is typically depicted by Expression (1) below.

u(t)=kp{e(t)±(1/Ti)∫e(t)dt}  Expression (1)

Here,

u(t): a function of a manipulated variable with respect to time t

kp: proportional gain

e(t): a function of deviation with respect to time t

Ti: integration time

An advantage of PI control is that deviation (error) does not arise even if there are modifications of the target value or steady disturbances.

Based on the aforedescribed basic expression (1) of PI control, PI control is carried out to bring deviation EF (=ΔTws−ΔTw) between the target temperature differential ΔTws and the usage-side heat exchanger outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTw to zero. In this case, a value a which is a correction value for the rotation speed R of the circulating pump motor 44 is given by the following Expression (2).

α=α#+Kc×{(EF−EF#)+Kic×(EF+EF#)Δtc/2Tic}  Expression (2)

α#: previous α

EF: current deviation

EF#: previous deviation

Kc, Kic: gain

Δtc: sampling time

Tic: integration constant

Specifically, in Step S4, the controller 201 calculates a on the basis of the above Expression (2).

Next, in Step S5, the controller 201 corrects the rotating speed R of the circulating pump motor 44 a to a rotating speed equal to the current rotating speed plus a, and controls the operating capacity of the circulating pump 43 a. Thereafter, the process flow returns to Step S2.

On the other hand, in a case where the aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTw is less than the target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws (NO in Step S3), and the aqueous medium outlet temperature Twl is equal to or greater than the targeted first target temperature Twls (YES in Step S6), the flow rate of the aqueous medium circulating through the aqueous medium circuit 80 a is assessed as being high, and PI control analogous to that discussed above is carried out to decrease the operating capacity of the circulating pump 43 a by decreasing the rotating speed (specifically, the operating frequency) of the circulating pump motor 44 a (Steps S7-8).

Specifically, in Step S7, the controller 201 calculates a on the basis of the above Expression (2).

Next, in Step S8, the controller 201 corrects the rotating speed R of the circulating pump motor 44 a to a rotating speed equal to the current rotating speed minus a, and controls the operating capacity of the circulating pump 43 a. Thereafter, the process flow returns to Step S2.

Through flow rate control of the aqueous medium in the above manner, it is possible to appropriately control the flow rate of the aqueous medium circulating through the aqueous medium circuit 80 a. The target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws is set with consideration to the design parameter for heat exchange capability of the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a, and the like.

(Coordinated Control of Room Temperature and Flow Rate of Aqueous Medium)

In a case where an air temperature differential ΔTa (=Ts−Td) between a detected air temperature Td, which is the room temperature inside the room R detected by the air temperature sensor 203, and a set air temperature Ts that has been set by the room temperature controller 202, is greater than a predetermined third target temperature differential ΔTcs, the controller 201 carries out control to change the target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws in the direction of a smaller aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTw.

Specifically, as depicted in the flowchart of FIG. 3, first, in Step S31, the controller 201 sets the target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws to an initial value T0.

Next, in Step S32, the controller 201 assesses whether the air temperature differential ΔTa between the detected air temperature Td and the set air temperature Ts that has been set by the room temperature controller 202 is greater than the predetermined third target temperature differential ΔTcs.

In a case where a state in which ΔTa is greater than ΔTcs is maintained for a predetermined duration (YES in Step S32), in Step S33, the controller 201 performs operation control in the direction of a smaller aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTw by setting a new target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws that is equal to the previous target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws minus a predetermined correction value Tδ, and more specifically, controls the operating capacity of the circulating pump 43 a in the direction of an increased circulation rate of the aqueous medium.

On the other hand, in a case where a state in which ΔTa is greater than ΔTcs is not maintained for a predetermined duration (NO in Step S32), the target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws is set to the initial value T0.

Through flow rate control of the aqueous medium in coordination with room temperature in this way, even if there has been a decrease in load on the hot-water air-warming unit 9 a or other air-warming heat exchanger, excessive temperature rise of the aqueous medium can be reliably prevented.

Features of the Present Embodiment (1)

In the heat pump system 1 of the present embodiment, two controls are carried out in parallel. As a first control, the refrigerant-side circulation rate in the heat-source-side refrigerant circuit 20 is controlled such that the temperature Twl of the aqueous medium at the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a is brought to the targeted first target temperature Twls, controlling the water temperature at the outlet side of the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a so as to maintain it at a predetermined temperature. In association therewith, as a second control, the operating capacity of the circulating pump 43 a is controlled such that the medium temperature differential ΔTw of the aqueous medium at the outlet and the inlet of the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a is brought to a targeted second target temperature differential ΔTws, automatically controlling the temperature differential between the outlet and the inlet, which in a conventional heat pump system is fixed by manual adjustment during installation and the like, to a predetermined temperature differential. Because of this, even if there is a decline in the load on the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a, excessive temperature fluctuations of the aqueous medium can be reliably prevented.

(2)

Consequently, even if there is a decline in the load on the usage side, through PI control whereby the medium temperature differential ΔTw, which is the temperature differential between the outlet and the inlet of the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a, is increased towards the second target temperature differential ΔTws, the temperature can be prevented from rising above the design temperature of intermediate hot-water equipment of usage-side machinery such as the hot-water air-warming unit 9 a, and overheating or auto-shutoff of machinery can be prevented. As a result, energy efficiency can be improved, and comfort can be improved as well. Further, because water flow adjustment of the circulating pump 43 a is carried out automatically, management and adjustment of the hot-water flow rate is easy.

(3)

Also, in the heat pump system 1 of the present embodiment, the controller 201 controls the operating capacity of the circulating pump 43 a by carrying out PI control so as to bring the outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTw at the current point in time into approximation with the target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws.

Consequently, in the heat pump system 1 of the present embodiment, through PI control as described above, temperature control can take place such that deviation between the outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTw at the current point in time and the target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws is eliminated, whereby excessive temperature rise of the aqueous medium can be reliably prevented.

(4)

Further, in the heat pump system 1 of the present embodiment, air-warming of the room R is carried out using hot water produced by condensing the refrigerant in the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a. Because of this, even if the load on the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a has decreased due to a rise in room temperature of the room R, excessive temperature rise of the aqueous medium can be reliably prevented.

(5)

In the heat pump system 1 of the present embodiment, in a case where the outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTw is less than the target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws, and the temperature Twl of the aqueous medium at the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a is equal to or greater than the targeted first target temperature Twls, the controller 201 carries out control to decrease the operating capacity of the circulating pump 43 a; or if the outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTw is greater than the target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws, carries out control to increase the operating capacity of the circulating pump 43 a.

Therefore, in a case where the outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTw is less than the target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws, and the temperature Twl of the aqueous medium at the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a is equal to or greater than the targeted first target temperature Twls, it can be decided that the load on the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a has decreased, and excessive temperature rise of the aqueous medium can be more reliably prevented.

(6)

In the heat pump system 1 of the present embodiment, in a case where the differential ΔTa (=Ts−Td) between the detected air temperature Td detected by the air temperature sensor 203, and the set air temperature Ts set by the room temperature controller 202, is greater than the predetermined third target temperature differential ΔTcs, the controller 201 changes the target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws in the direction of a smaller outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTw.

Through flow rate control of the aqueous medium in coordination with room temperature, when the load on the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a has decreased due to the room temperature becoming sufficiently higher than the set temperature, control is thus carried out to change the target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws in the direction of a smaller outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTw, increasing the operating capacity of the circulating pump 43 a, whereby excessive temperature rise of the aqueous medium can be more reliably prevented.

Consequently, in a case where, e.g., the capability is insufficient during warming up of the heat pump system 1, by automatically modifying the target aqueous medium outlet/inlet temperature differential ΔTws, it is possible to modify the operating capacity of the circulating pump 43 a. Consequently, the need to modify the set air temperature Ts using the room temperature controller 202 is eliminated.

Modified Examples (A)

In the aforedescribed embodiment, in order to aid in understanding of the invention, an example of a single usage unit 4 a furnished on the usage side was depicted as one example of the heat pump system 1 of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is possible for another usage unit (an indoor air conditioning unit or the like) to be connected in parallel with the usage unit 4 a to the liquid refrigerant communication tube 13 and the gas refrigerant communication tube 14. In this case as well, by carrying out the operation control of the aforedescribed embodiment, excessive temperature rise of the aqueous medium can be reliably prevented, even in a case of a decrease in load on the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a.

(B)

Further, in the heat pump system 1 of the aforedescribed embodiment, the usage unit 4 a is one in which direct heat exchange is carried out between the refrigerant of the heat-source-side refrigerant circuit 20 and the water of the aqueous medium circuit 80 a by the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may instead be configured as a cascade-type heat pump system with a separate refrigerant circuit intervening between the heat-source-side refrigerant circuit 20 and the aqueous medium circuit 80 a. In this case as well, by carrying out the operation control of the aforedescribed embodiment, excessive temperature rise of the aqueous medium can be reliably prevented, even in a case of a decrease in load on the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a.

(C)

Also, in the heat pump system 1 of the aforedescribed embodiment, a heat pump system for carrying out hot-water floor air-warming was described by way of example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Specifically, the heat-source-side switching mechanism 23 in the heat pump system 1 may be switched to reverse the flow of the refrigerant in the heat-source-side refrigerant circuit 20, and air-cooling of the room R may be carried out using the cold water generated by evaporation of the refrigerant in the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a. In this case, by carrying out the aforedescribed operation control, excessive temperature drop of the aqueous medium can be reliably prevented, even in a case of a decrease in load on the usage-side heat exchanger 41 a.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Various applications of the present invention in heat pump systems for circulating aqueous media are possible.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 Heat pump system -   2 Heat source unit -   4 a Usage unit -   12 Discharge refrigerant communication tube -   13 Liquid refrigerant communication tube -   14 Gas refrigerant communication tube -   20 Heat-source-side refrigerant circuit -   21 Heat-source-side compressor -   23 Heat-source-side switching mechanism -   24 Heat-source-side heat exchanger -   41 a Usage-side heat exchanger -   42 a Usage-side flow rate adjustment valve -   43 a Circulating pump -   80 a Aqueous medium circuit -   201 Controller -   202 Room temperature controller -   203 Air temperature sensor -   204 Hot-water controller

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   <Patent Document 1> Japanese Laid-open Patent Application     2003-314838 

1. A heat pump system comprising: a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a usage-side heat exchanger arranged to carry out heat exchange between a refrigerant and an aqueous medium, an expansion valve, and a heat-source-side heat exchanger are connected in a loop; an inlet temperature sensor arranged to measure a heat exchanger inlet temperature of the aqueous medium in the usage-side heat exchanger; an outlet temperature sensor arranged to measure a heat exchanger outlet temperature of the aqueous medium in the usage-side heat exchanger; a variable-capacity circulating pump arranged to circulate the aqueous medium inside a hot-water circuit of the loop; and a controller configured to control refrigerant-side circulation rate in the refrigerant circuit to bring a temperature of the aqueous medium at the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger to a targeted first target temperature, and operating capacity of the circulating pump to bring a medium temperature differential of the aqueous medium between the outlet and the inlet of the usage-side heat exchanger to a targeted second target temperature differential.
 2. The heat pump system as recited in claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to control operating capacity of the circulating pump by carrying out PI control such that the medium temperature differential at a current point in time is brought into approximation with the second target temperature differential.
 3. The heat pump system as recited in claim 1, wherein air-warming of a target space is carried out using hot water produced by condensing the refrigerant in the usage-side heat exchanger.
 4. The heat pump system as recited in claim 3, wherein the controller is further configured to carry out a control in which operating capacity of the circulating pump is decreased in a case where the medium temperature differential is smaller than the second target temperature differential and the temperature of the aqueous medium at the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger is equal to or greater than the first target temperature, and a control in which operating capacity of the circulating pump is increased in a case where the medium temperature differential is greater than the second target temperature differential.
 5. The heat pump system as recited in claim 4, further comprising: an air-temperature-setting element configured to set an air temperature of a target space for which air-warming is to be carried out; and an air-temperature-detecting element configured to detect the air temperature of the target space, in a case where an air temperature differential between a detected air temperature detected by the air-temperature-detecting element and a set air temperature set by the air-temperature-setting element is greater than a predetermined third target temperature differential, the controller being further configured to change the second target temperature differential in the direction of a smaller medium temperature differential.
 6. The heat pump system as recited in claim 2, wherein air-warming of a target space is carried out using hot water produced by condensing the refrigerant in the usage-side heat exchanger.
 7. The heat pump system as recited in claim 6, wherein the controller is further configured to carry out a control in which operating capacity of the circulating pump is decreased in a case where the medium temperature differential is smaller than the second target temperature differential and the temperature of the aqueous medium at the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger is equal to or greater than the first target temperature, and a control in which operating capacity of the circulating pump is increased in a case where the medium temperature differential is greater than the second target temperature differential.
 8. The heat pump system as recited in claim 7, further comprising: an air-temperature-setting element configured to set an air temperature of a target space for which air-warming is to be carried out; and an air-temperature-detecting element configured to detect the air temperature of the target space, in a case where an air temperature differential between a detected air temperature detected by the air-temperature-detecting element and a set air temperature set by the air-temperature-setting element is greater than a predetermined third target temperature differential, the controller being further configured to change the second target temperature differential in the direction of a smaller medium temperature differential. 